COSXJFAN

OK, let me lay the ground work. I have been toying with the idea of putting an auto locker in my front axle. I will have it all apart, and could put one in while it's opened up. I DO NOT have the money for a selectable locker, so keep that in mind. I do not DD my Jeep, and rarely, if ever, drive it in the winter. I plan on buying a D44 through the AM way down the road, but for now I think that I'd like to have it locked in the front. I already have an auto locker in the rear D44, and know what to expect from it. FWIW, I am upgrading to the 297 u joint shafts in my D30 when I swap all of this out and they have already been purchased and rebuilt. So what do you guys think? To lock or not to lock??

nick_n_ii

I say lock it... Do it cheap for now so you don't have much in it when you up grade..

pitbulld45

I agree, lock it.

COSXJFAN

Also looking for personal experiences with an auto in the front, so if you have any, please share. Thanks much!!

XJ Stryker

I say lock it also!

nick_n_ii

I ran a Lock Right in the front of a YJ year round. Yes I had the Posi-Lock but alot of times I'd just leave the axle as it would be in a XJ.. Winter hairy, and yes you could tell it was there but after a few times driving it, it became rather transparent..

I'd even run a Lock-Right or equal in a DD XJ in the front...

tommy

its not a daily driver lock it down and have some fun

a1racer

you should get the selectable my buddy has a rock buggy with arb's front and rear and when they are both locked it has no turn radius i would rather have the choice to lock when you want and unlock when you need the steering like his does it makes a sharp turn a lot easier when you can unlock the diff. i know the auto locker is supposed to work this way but when off road it can still make it harder to turn sharper. just my opinion

COSXJFAN

Quoted from the OP.

BuckB91XJ

Went wheeling in the snow this last weekend. There were 2 of us in the group that had **** for tires. I was locked the other guy wasn't. I got around descently, the other guy couldn't do a thing without being towed.

kilbrethj

I'd lock it.... but i wouldn't buy one.. just weld it... if your replacing it any way why waste the money on the weaker axle? just weld this one and buy a locker for the d44!!! my .o2c.........

a1racer

sorry just my opinion that they are better for the front but if you are on a tight budget do the cheapest you can do and have fun

COSXJFAN

Because I can lightly apply throttle, and it will still slip a little, at least my rear will. When the axle isn't engaged it will ratchet as it is supposed to, also.

I agree 100% that selectable is the way to go, I just can't justify throwing more money at this thing right now. I will have a pretty heavy "winter Jeep budget" this year as it is. I have seen online that I can pick up a D44, with the gears and locker I want for less than $3,000.00. It is already shortened and ready to bolt on, sans knuckles, so I think that is the way I'll go in a few years. I have a lot of things on "the list" before that though!!

Guest765

I run a PowerTax in the Front and Aussie in the Back.. Could not ask for more... The Aussie is a bit loud but it does what it is supposed to LOCKS...